Translocator Protein and Inflammation After Traumatic Brain Injury

-INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Subjects with TBI:

Subjects with TBI eligible for participation in this research study must meet the following inclusion criteria. Depending on the timing of the availability of the subjects the following two groups will be studied. No subject will be enrolled in both group 1 and 2.

Group 1 Acute/subacute phase (n = 20)

• Diagnosis of non-penetrating TBI caused by a head injury within approximately 5 months.
• Ambulatory.
• Able to provide self consent without a legally-authorized representative based on the assessment of the Decision-Making Capacity (DMC) by the Human Subjects Protection Unit (HSPU).
• Show abnormal MRI findings consistent with TBI in protocol 10-N-N122 or in the image database of the CNRM Image Processing Core if the subject is recruited from CNRM Recruitment Core protocol 11-N-0084 or another CNRM protocol that allows referrals to other studies.
• Age 18 or older.

Group 2 Chronic phase (n = 20)

• A head injury approximately 5 months 5 years ago.
• Enrolled in CNRM Recruitment Core protocol 11-N-0084 or another CNRM protocol that allows referral to other studies.
• Meet at least one of the criteria of Probable or Definite TBI established by CNRM.
• Ambulatory.
• Able to provide self consent without a legally-authorized representative based on the assessment of the Decision-Making Capacity (DMC) by the Human Subjects Protection Unit (HSPU).
• Age 18 or older.

Group 3 Healthy subjects.

• Healthy without past or present history of brain disease.
• Age 18 or older.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Subjects with TBI for both groups 1 and 2 are not eligible for participation in this research study if any of the following conditions exist:

• Present or past history of brain disease other than TBI.
• Subjects with abnormal MRI findings that suggest a diagnosis other than TBI or a second lesion such as brain tumor in addition to the changes consistent with TBI.
• Serious medical conditions, which make study procedures of the current study unsafe. Such serious medical conditions include uncontrolled epilepsy and multiple serious injuries. The Medical Advisory Investigator of this protocol will determine whether the subject needs to be excluded.
• Contraindication to MRI scanning including certain metal implants or devices such as: cardiac pacemaker, insulin infusion pump, implanted drug infusion device, cochlear, otologic, or ear implant, transdermal medication patch (Nitroglycerine) that cannot be removed for the study, body piercing(s), bone/joint pin, screw, nail, plate, wire sutures or surgical staples, shunts, cerebral aneurysms clips, shrapnel or other metal imbedded in a subject's body (such as from war wounds or accidents or previous work in metal fields or machines that may have left any metallic fragments in or near the subject's eyes).
• Conditions precluding entry into the scanners (e.g. morbid obesity, claustrophobia, etc.).
• In female subjects, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Exposure to research related radiation in the past year that, when combined with this study, would place subjects above the allowable limits.

HEALTHY SUBJECTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS RESEARCH IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS EXIST:

• Any past or present history of DSM Axis I disorder, with the exception of substance abuse that ended over 6 months prior to enrollment.
• Contraindication to MRI scanning including certain metal implants or devices such as: cardiac pacemaker, insulin infusion pump, implanted drug infusion device, cochlear, otologic, or ear implant, transdermal medication patch (Nitroglycerine) that cannot be removed for the study, body piercing(s), bone/joint pin, screw, nail, plate, wire sutures or surgical staples, shunts, cerebral aneurysms clips, shrapnel or other metal imbedded in a subject's body (such as from war wounds or accidents or previous work in metal fields or machines that may have left any metallic fragments in or near the subject's eyes).
• Conditions